RHS golf teams earn state berthsCourier sports staff BRYANT - Russellville High School's golf team traveled to Bryant on Monday to participate in the 7A Central Conference district tournament at Longhills Golf Club. "We knew going into the tournament that it would be a very close match and that we were going to have to shoot the best golf we could to win," RHS head golf coach Harley Sisson said. As scores came in, it was apparent it would come down to the last flight. Caleb ...

RHS wins Lady Cyclone InvitationalBy Quinton Bagley Sports Editor Coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss to Conway on Thursday, Russellville hosted the Lady Cyclone Invitational (LCI) at Whirlwind Gymnasium on Saturday. The LCI was a mixture of pool play and tournament play as 12 teams competed to win the 12th annual event. The Lady Cyclones went 2-1 in pool play as they defeated Waldron 2-0 (25-15, 25-13) and Central Arkansas Christian 2-0 (25-20, 25-15). The lone loss in pool p...

Apaches 3-0 for first time in recent historyBy Steven Glen Special to The Courier OLA - For the first time in their young history, the Pottsville Apaches open the high school football season 3-0 with a 49-35 win over the Ola Mustangs on Friday in the Mustangs' home opener. The Apaches scored on their first six possessions in the first half to open up a 42-12 lead at halftime. With another touchdown on their first offensive series of the second half, Pottsville was able to invoke the Ark...

Heartbreaker for RHSCyclones had Tigers by their tails Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor Cyclones are known for their high pressure and gusting winds. They can cause damage and harm to those in its path. Russellville High School's football team put pressure on second-ranked Bentonville (2-1) all night and during the last play of the game in their upset bid against the Tigers at Cyclone Stadium. But it wasn't enough - the game ended with a heartbreaking ...

Atkins, Dardanelle play one for the agesRed Devils hold off Sand Lizards to win 34-28 By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor ATKINS - It was one for the ages Friday night as football fans from Dardanelle and Atkins turned Lemley Field into a sea of red. The Red Devils and Sand Lizards came into the game sporting perfect 2-0 records, but unfortunately one had to lose. To the delight of Atkins fans, the Red Devils came away with a 34-28 win. "Dardanelle played a fantastic ball game," Atkins ...

Little Johns garner first win of seasonLamar wins homecoming matchup By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor DANVILLE - After falling in its first two ball games of the season, the Little Johns found the win column Friday night as the Little Johns defeated Hackett 34-33. Danville (1-2) got on the board first as quarterback Leroy Ruiz broke a 50-yard run in the second quarter for the score. Cody Wells added the extra point to give the Little Johns a 7-0 lead. Hackett tied the score a few mi...

Cardinals hand Panthers 7-6 lossBy Chuck Pistone For The Courier CLARKSVILLE - In a defensive slugfest at Metheny Field, the visiting Farmington Cardinals won by one over the hitherto unbeaten Panthers by the throwback score of 7-6. Farmington (2-1), last year's 1AAAA Conference champs, showed why as they played stellar defense and special teams (with one exception) throughout the contest. Operating behind what in local parlance are usually referred to as "some big old boys"...

One last tune-up before conferenceRussellville, Bentonville come into tonight's game 1-1 By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor For eight straight years, Russellville has had Bentonville's number, including 2001 when the Tigers won the Class AAAAA state championship. Last season, Bentonville picked up its fifth win over the Cyclones as the Tigers defeated Russellville 63-34 in Barry Lunney's second season at Bentonville. At the time, the Tigers were ranked No. 1 in Class 7A and the C...

Perfect Pottsville will face test on roadLocal teams face first test of season before conference play opens Michael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor We've all seen our fair share of reality television shows such as "Wife Swap", and this Friday in Ola the Pottsville Apaches and Ola Mustangs face that same situation as the teams will be swapping places - at least concerning their home and away records, not their wives. The Mustangs (1-1) will start their home opener against a team w...

Atkins falls to Lady BulldogsMichael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor ATKINS - The scoreboard read Home 9, Visitor 11 in Game 3 of the volleyball match between the Atkins Lady Red Devils and St. Joseph of Conway, but some probably didn't pay that much attention or think anything of it. The players certainly paid attention and said the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks should have been honored before the game. Atkins dropped the match losing 11-25 in game...

Apaches perfect at homeMichael Christopher Assistant Sports Editor POTTSVILLE - The bright lights shined on John Needham Stadium as Bryan Rust and the black and gold fans watched the Apaches improve to a perfect 2-0 with a 40-27 victory over the Rose Bud Ramblers. Pottsville had six different players find the end zone on four rushing touchdowns and two passing TDs. They played tough defense early and would run the ball for most the game. "I think we've got a lot of ...

Dover ends 12-game losing skid with 42-0 win over HectorBy Scott Moore For The Courier DOVER - After more than a year of frustration, the Dover Pirates ended a 12-game losing skid in big fashion, defeating Hector's Wildcats 42-0 on a warm and humid Friday night at Jack Berry Field. "It seemed like a long time coming," Dover second-year head coach Chris Taylor said. "We were on the other side of this last year. It feels good to be on the winning side." The Pirates (1-1) burst out of the gates by sco...

Bulldogs' bite too muchStruggling Cyclone offense hinders chance of win By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor FAYETTEVILLE - Coming off a season-opening 35-14 win over Morrilton last week, Russellville was looking to improve to 2-0 Friday night as the Cyclones traveled to Fayetteville to face the Bulldogs. A struggling offense forced Russellville's defense to stay on the field longer than coach Jeff Holt would have liked as Fayetteville claimed a 34-14 nonconference victo...

Panthers clip Eagles' wings 35-7By Chuck Pistone For The Courier CLARKSVILLE - The Panthers administered a thorough drubbing to their visitors from Huntsville as they reduced the woebegone Eagles to a fistful of feathers. The final tally was Clarksville 35, Huntsville 7 in a game whose outcome was never in doubt. In a first half that was all Clarksville (2-0), the hometown crowd was treated to the antics of an unstoppable Panther offense that opened with a 59-yard touchdown ...

Little Johns 0-2 after road loss; Red Devils winCourier sports staff PARIS - Danville has started the 2007 season 0-2 after the the Little Johns came up two points short against Paris on Friday night as the Eagles gained an 8-6 win. Paris (1-1) scored first as Eagle Rusty Jones ran 62 yards to pay dirt. Avery Buckner added the 2-point conversion to put Paris up 8-0. Danville got on the board with 4:59 to play in the second quarter as Little John Trent Davis broke a 39-yard run for the touch...

Cyclones hope to muzzle BulldogsRussellville looks to avenge 57-35 loss from last season By Quinton Bagley Sports Editor Russellville's football season has gone to the dogs. After opening last week with a 35-14 win over the Morrilton Devil Dogs, the Cyclones will be on the road again tonight as they travel to Fayetteville to face the Bulldogs. "This is going to be a big test for us," Russellville head coach Jeff Holt said. "Fayetteville is a really good football team. We hav...